Thread: New J.A. Henckels | Cognitive Dissonance

That is to bad guys. When I bought my new Boker king cutter it was after I had read some reviews on the new ones. My only gripe was no jimping.
The shave was outstanding.

I ran across a Henckles model 14 8/8's that was in excellent condition.
On a one pass WTG shave it is my top preformer.

Thanks for the review. I will not be buying any new Henckles unless they turn things around and I see good reviews consistantly on them.


Silver2

Not in my opinion. I don't know if this was made by DOVO or someone else for JAH, but it certainly didn't match up to vintage JAH's I have seen.

There was, however, a thread link mentioned on page one of this post in which Glen had indicated that the new Friodur's were on a similar plane with the vintage ones, so perhaps some have had a better experience with those.

For the most part the razor came in good shape - new. The edge of the blade showed a little discoloration due to buffing I think. As I honed and stropped it for use the coloration went away. As a 7/8 Square point it is hefty and smooth when you shave. I was pleased overall with it's performance. I might still work it over with diamond dust on felt. That might help improve it even more.

Give your razor several shaves, several days apart before you make your final decision.

Good Luck!

Excuse my ignorance, but are there not guarantees on these? Can you not return them? Seems sad for you to be unhappy and stuck with the razor.

MrDavid,

Sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with the Henckels. Thanks for posting your experience. I had thought about purchasing one of the new Henckels razors myself. You saved me from going down that road.

Originally Posted by MrDavid

Not in my opinion. I don't know if this was made by DOVO or someone else for JAH, but it certainly didn't match up to vintage JAH's I have seen.

There was, however, a thread link mentioned on page one of this post in which Glen had indicated that the new Friodur's were on a similar plane with the vintage ones, so perhaps some have had a better experience with those.

First let me make sure you understand that this is the very first of the New Henckels that I have messed with, so I am basing this on one razor which is not such a great idea... But you asked...

This razor had the the 5/8 "Hollow Grind blade I should point out that there are two different hollow grinds shown, one has a double stabilizer that on the Henckels website is listed as 6/8 and the other (this one) has a shoulderless grind, this razor is a 1/2 hollow by my estimation.. This one has the upgraded wood scales in Red/Blue Tobacco wood* or composite to us gun people... The design and execution of the scales is a whole other discussion...

As to the blade, I would, off of honing just this one razor, recommend that unless you are pretty good on the stones to have it Pro-Honed the first time through, as the bevel set was a bit harder than most new razors..
I chose the Naniwas (1-3-5-8-10-12) as I get the smoothest edge on the big Friodurs on them, I finished with 10 laps CrOx and 15 laps CeOx on my bench strops then 50/100 linen and leather and shaved
This is a straight forward no nonsense razor, it plows right on through like any 1/2 hollow should.. The feel was NOT as smooth as the old 11/16 Vintage Friodur, sorry it just wasn't, the old steel is much smoother... Comparing to the 2nd generation Friodurs I would say the steel is pretty close, the bigger blades are much more hollow, and well, bigger, so they have more flex, and feel more comfortable to MY face... That might not be true for people who like the stiffer blades or for the Double Stabilzer Full hollow grind new one...

I guess, I am riding the fence here, just not enough data to say...Make what you want out of what I found, but I would not draw any conclusions from it...


I not not quite sure what review you read but that is what I wrote....
I sure would NOT consider that a glowing recommendation by any far stretch of the imagination...

Thanks for the points of clarification, Glen. I should have simply linked back to your post directly so as not to create any confusion. My intent was only to state that it seems the Friodur's and TwinWorks lines are apparently two different beasts.


@ lz6: Thanks for the thought. Unfortunately, their "guarantee" only applies to manufacturing defects, not to buyer's remorse.

No problem...

If you keep the razor, I would like to try it out....
I would re-hone it for free, and send it back on my dime, if you were interested ?????
I would like to have another reference point...

Originally Posted by MrDavid

I actually read your thread prior to ordering my twin, and based on Glen's observation (essentially that there was little difference between old and new), opted for the new as I assumed there would be more consistent quality there.

Having just come back from the hones, I'm now "cautiously optimistic." I could feel a big difference between this and my cheap DOVO pretty quickly, and the edge off the 12k looked pretty good. Sliced (not popped) arm hairs off easily; so I may have been too quick to judge.

Until tomorrow morning...

I am sorry you are not enjoying your new Henckles as much as you anticipated. It's too late now but if you weren't pleased with the quality of the razor upon first inspection I would have sent it back without delay. Now that you have honed the razor you probably can not return it. Lesson learned.

Next, from what I have observed over my time here on SRP most people here try there best to provide good information and not steer anyone astray. The straight razor journey is a very personal experience which is different for most of us. For those of us that have been around for a while we have come to know that the exact same setup for one person may or may not work for the next. For all reading this post, we (SRP members) can only offer our impressions and perceptions of shave gear. Your experience may, and probably will differ. In the end you are responsible for your own decisions and purchases. As you indulge in the sport more and more you will develop a sense for what works for you and who's suggestions best fit your style and needs.

Lastly, I have found that if I am impressed with a razor I give a little extra to it when I hone it. It is not intentional but a natural occurrence. Other days I may produce a better edge and the day before or the day after. A honed edge is not an exactly precise measure of quality but is in fact the last and most obvious when we go to shave. I have a Puma Inox that kicked my but
on the hones. It must have been several tries before it reached my lever of a smooth shave. From a honing perceptive that razor sucks but if I offered it to most people here it would be gone in a flash.

Bottom line. Be responsible for your own actions but take into account the advise of others with more experience. If you don't like an item return it before altering it and move on with life. If an edge on a straight razor is not where think it should be go back to the hones or send it to a honemister that has been providing the service for a long time compared to others. And lastly, enjoy the shave and the straight razor experience!

Originally Posted by Joed

I am sorry you are not enjoying your new Henckles as much as you anticipated. It's too late now but if you weren't pleased with the quality of the razor upon first inspection I would have sent it back without delay. Now that you have honed the razor you probably can not return it. Lesson learned.

Next, from what I have observed over my time here on SRP most people here try there best to provide good information and not steer anyone astray. The straight razor journey is a very personal experience which is different for most of us. For those of us that have been around for a while we have come to know that the exact same setup for one person may or may not work for the next. For all reading this post, we (SRP members) can only offer our impressions and perceptions of shave gear. Your experience may, and probably will differ. In the end you are responsible for your own decisions and purchases. As you indulge in the sport more and more you will develop a sense for what works for you and who's suggestions best fit your style and needs.

Lastly, I have found that if I am impressed with a razor I give a little extra to it when I hone it. It is not intentional but a natural occurrence. Other days I may produce a better edge and the day before or the day after. A honed edge is not an exactly precise measure of quality but is in fact the last and most obvious when we go to shave. I have a Puma Inox that kicked my but
on the hones. It must have been several tries before it reached my lever of a smooth shave. From a honing perceptive that razor sucks but if I offered it to most people here it would be gone in a flash.

Bottom line. Be responsible for your own actions but take into account the advise of others with more experience. If you don't like an item return it before altering it and move on with life. If an edge on a straight razor is not where think it should be go back to the hones or send it to a honemister that has been providing the service for a long time compared to others. And lastly, enjoy the shave and the straight razor experience!

This is a well thought out and worded post containing the best of advice for new straight razor shavers.